CAR Group, parent of Carsales and with businesses in four continents, has reported a $1.253 billion revenue figure for the 2026 financial year, up six per cent on the previous year on its reported results.

Car Group’s FY26 results also showed EBITDA of $667m, up eight per cent with net profit of $314m, up 14 per cent.

The global company said the Australian division’s revenue was up seven per cent and that its flagship Carsales business “maintained market leadership supported by continued product innovation and strong customer engagement”.

“The business continued to expand its role across the automotive ecosystem through the launch of Nexgate – our next-generation dealer platform – while AI-led improvements in search, personalisation, and workflow tools enhanced experience for consumers and dealers,” the company said in its report.

Car Group managing director and CEO William Elliott

Car Group managing director and CEO William Elliott said that the listed company’s results “reflects the growth capacity of our diversified business model, the quality of our market-leading businesses and the ongoing execution of our strategy”.

“Our teams have continued to deliver for customers and shareholders in a dynamic operating environment,” he added.

“Across each of our markets, we are making buying and selling vehicles easier, safer and more efficient for consumers, dealers and manufacturers.

“FY26 was an important year in the evolution of Car Group. We continued to move beyond traditional classifieds, building connected automotive ecosystems that support customers across more of the vehicle ownership journey.

“These ecosystems strengthen customer relationships, create new opportunities to deliver value and capture revenue and embed Car Group more deeply in the markets we serve.

“In Australia, we recently launched Nexgate, bringing together a broader suite of dealer workflow and data solutions under a single brand.

“We enhanced the customer experience through conversational search and personalisation.”

Mr Elliott said that in North America, Trader Interactive continued to grow and Xenara, its in-house media agency, “delivered strong momentum”.

He also said that the integration of CRM provider Dealership Performance 360 “provides an opportunity to broaden the dealer ecosystem across CRM, marketing, marketplace and data capabilities”.

Car Group’s North American arm showed revenue up 12 per cent and its adjusted EBITDA increased 12 per cent.“Growth was supported by premium dealer products, media momentum, data and analytics capability, contributions from minor acquisitions completed at the end of FY25 and continued progress in building a more diversified marketplace, media and dealer solutions ecosystem,” it said.

In Latin America, its Webmotors business showed revenue increased 19 per cent and EBITDA was up 23 per cent.

“Webmotors strengthened its leadership position in Brazil through audience growth, dealer services, finance, media and continued expansion of the Wallet product while Chile also delivered strong financial and operational results,” the report said.

In Asia, Car Group’s business lifted revenue by 15 per cent and adjusted EBITDA increased 14 per cent.

“This was supported by continued growth in Guarantee inspections, the scaling of more comprehensive inspections through Guarantee 2.0, rising digital transaction volumes via Encar Home Services, increased dealer-direct trade-in activity and increasing use of AI across product and operational workflows,” the report continued.

Mr Ellliott said that Car Group is using AI “to help consumers find the right vehicle faster, equip dealers with smarter tools and improve productivity across our operations”.

“Launched during the year in Brazil, our global AI hub – CG/lab, is bringing together product, engineering and AI expertise to rapidly develop, test and scale new ideas across the group,” he added.

Mr Elliott said that the growing EV new-car market was also impacting positively on Car Group.“The shift towards electric vehicles and the emergence of new EV entrants into our markets are already contributing to our performance and represent an ongoing opportunity,” he said.

“As vehicle technology becomes more complex, consumers are seeking trusted information, transparency and confidence when making purchasing decisions.

“Our marketplaces are supporting this transition through richer content, personalised experiences, assurance products, financing solutions, and data-driven marketing capabilities.”

Mr Elliott said that Car Group now enters FY27 “with confidence”.

“Our leading marketplace brands, expanding technology ecosystems, proprietary data and accelerating innovation provide a compelling foundation for continued long-term growth,” he stated.

In FY27, Car Group forecasts revenue growth of 11-14 per cent, with Australia expected to drive “high single-digit” percentage revenue growth. 

It said that this would be driven by volume, yield and depth penetration in dealer, volume, yield and ‘instant offer’ in private, and continued product and advertiser diversification in media.

In North America, it expects double-digit percentage revenue growth supported by higher customer yield, increased penetration of depth products, media expansion, data growth, and marine.

In Latin America, the company said revenue growth was expected to be in the double digits on dealer customers, yield and increased penetration of premium dealer products, finance, and media revenue.

And in Asia, it has the same expectations supported by continued uplift in Guarantee penetration combined with higher Encar homes and dealer-direct volumes.